Elevation Combat Sports Academy (ECSA) is seeking community help for its first Chautauqua County Turkey Drive. With this effort, ECSA wants to fight hunger and promote community unity.
Hunger remains a devastating problem in our society and others, and is the number one cause of death worldwide. In the United States, more than one out of five children live in a household with food insecurity, which means they do not always know if and how they will get their next meals. Chautauqua County ranks as one of the poorest communities in New York. Between 2008 and 2009, there were a shocking 173 homeless families on our streets that were left hungry. Of the Chautauqua County population, 18,350 people are living below the poverty level.
All of this data means that those families don't have the opportunity to sit with their loved ones to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal, something most people look forward to and may take for granted.
The mission of ECSA is to provide underprivileged families with a Thanksgiving dinner that they will remember and enjoy. To make their effort successful, they need the help of the community. ECSA feels that getting area businesses' names into the public eye will show that this is a genuine community effort. They are asking businesses to donate ten turkeys each. ECSA wants to bring area businesses together to support this neighborhood, and the donations will stay here to support this community's friends and families in need.
ECSA would like to remind everyone how good it feels to know they were instrumental in bringing families together to enjoy a meal they wouldn't otherwise have had. Businesses and individuals in the area have a chance to help their community right now, and can give donors and recipients alike a reason to be thankful this holiday.
Food items that are needed include turkeys, corn, yams, boxed potatoes, beans, cranberry sauce, boxed stuffing mix, gravy packets, and bread. Donations can be dropped off at Elevation Combat Sports at the D&F Plaza anytime before Nov. 18.
Families can pick up their dinner items on Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. at 335 Central Ave. in Dunkirk, in front of the ECSA School. This is open to the public while supplies last, with a limit of one turkey per family.
For more information on this event, contact Dave Harringer at 785-0547 or Michelle Harringer at 673-5303.
